Cliniconex’s Post

Earlier this week, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services confirmed its intent to finalize the proposed nursing home #StaffingMandate this year. As it stands, the CMS proposal calls for Medicare and Medicaid-certified #NursingHomes to provide a minimum of 0.55 hours of care from a registered nurse and 2.45 hours of care from a nurse aide per resident daily. Last year, more than 46K comments were submitted on the proposal and will be factored into the final decision. In response to the latest intended timeline, advocacy groups opposing the mandate continue to express concerns over the lack of workers and funding. Some feel it’s vital that the long-term care sector’s systemic issues — chronic workforce challenges and inadequate funding — are addressed first. Learn more about the latest updates in Skilled Nursing News: https://bit.ly/48MxQj5 #LTPAC #SeniorCare

It would be unfortunate if the CMS decided to move forward with the staffing mandate as planned without taking into account the valid concerns expressed by industry leaders and advocates.   As an industry, we need to work together to improve the quality of long-term care rather than hinder it. Aside from the need for better funding, there are simply not enough workers in the hiring pool to satisfy the #StaffingMandate as proposed. If facilities are forced to close because they are unable to meet the mandate, this will directly impact access to care, especially for those in rural areas where the hiring pools are even more limited.   We must ask ourselves “how can we best support this vulnerable population given the current landscape and challenges?” The answer is federal support. The #SeniorCare space needs better funding in order to meet the demands being asked of them.

I'm from the Government and I'm here to Help I am starting to post these issues on LinkedIn rather than in trade publications because I can be more candid and I think the general public needs to know how our government pays for healthcare. Specifically long-term care in this case. This article in Skilled Nursing News article states the Federal Government is going to spend $492 million for Nursing Home oversight, because when a consumer puts their loved one in a nursing home there should be someone there to care for them. Here's the simple math: Medicaid, which pays for most nursing home stays, pays me about $290.00/day ($12.08/hr) for each Medicaid resident I care for. I am paying my nursing assistants an all in rate of about $21.00/hr. Medicaid fails to pay providers enough to actually cover the cost of care. Our government is shocked there are failures in the system and their response is more oversight and enforcement. They are ignoring the critical piece of the problem, nursing homes can no longer afford to provide the care because the reimbursement doesn't cover the basic costs. They need investment. No amount of mandatory staffing levels or additional oversight will change that. We need the help for sure, but don't be fooled into thinking that $494 million is going to do it. https://lnkd.in/etx59CFe #skilledNursingNews #longtermcare #nursinghomecare

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (#CMS) published its final rule establishing minimum staffing standards for Long-Term Care (#LTC) facilities. In a new #ClientAlert, Partners Amber Pickett and Nichol Bunn do a deep dive on all the key provisions of the rule, which is part of the Biden administration’s focus on nursing home #reform. #Healthcare #HealthcareLaw

The Biden-Harris Administration has enacted three final rules to improve care in nursing homes, expand access to Medicaid and CHIP, and enhance the quality of care workers' jobs. These rules aim to: --Set national staffing standards for nursing homes --Increase access to care for Medicaid and CHIP enrollees --Establish transparency and accountability measures for managed care plans. For more details, check out this article!

CMS issued three landmark rules yesterday for Medicaid and CHIP. These rules will dominate the work of Medicaid and related agencies for the next 1-5 years. Fact sheets on each rule are below. Minimum staffing standard for nursing homes. https://lnkd.in/edjdDZTK The Access rule. https://lnkd.in/eCGzsgnt Managed care rule https://lnkd.in/eViBds2h Support for Medicaid and related agencies is critical during this "sea of change" for improved services for Medicaid members and their families.

Responding to the Nursing Home Crisis 🚨 A recent survey by the Pennsylvania Health Care Association paints a stark picture: nearly half of nursing home operators in the state are considering closing or selling facilities due to unsustainable operating conditions. High staffing requirements, low Medicaid reimbursement rates, and an aging population are converging to create an access crisis in long-term care. Providers across the country must heed this warning and embrace proactive strategies to reshape the care continuum. Now more than ever, there's a pressing need to reduce reliance on traditional nursing home care. Why is this critical? The future of senior care demands innovative solutions that empower older adults to maintain independence and dignity, steering away from the costly, unsustainable model of nursing homes. 📈 It's time to rethink our approach to senior care. By shifting focus from institutional settings to community-based solutions, we can build a more resilient and compassionate healthcare system for our aging population. Explore the full article here and join the conversation on redefining senior care: https://lnkd.in/g-HFT58j #SeniorCare #CCaH #HealthcareInnovation #NursingHomeCrisis #HealthcareLeadership #seniorliving #pace

In an effort to increase staffing levels and improve patient care in nursing homes, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has recently implemented a minimum staffing standard for nursing homes. Learn more about this new rule in this week's blog. #RothkoffLawGroup #ElderCareLaw

How would you tackle the challenges posed by the increasing scrutiny in nursing home audits?

I can't let this go without a comment. Most large nursing home chains have rooms full of accountants working to figure out how to maximize reimbursement. Complying with rules that bring transparency to where taxpayer dollars are spent is a no-brainer. It's a pivot table. Let consumers know who owns the real estate? Let consumers know who owns the staffing agency that charges above market rates? Let consumers know who owns the medical supply company? What does the nursing home industry have to hide? If nothing, then these rules shouldn't be a problem. If there's a lot to hide, maybe that's why there's resistance to these rules. It would be nice if the industry put all of its energy into improving quality, rather than protecting its profits.